Living in Sparta, North Carolina
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Sparta · Census data 2020–2024
Sparta has 1,928 residents with a median age of 51. The median household income is $42,454 (41% lower than the North Carolina median), the median home value is $209,600, the median rent is $563/month.
Sparta at a glance
- Population
- 1,928
- Median age
- 51State: 39.1
- Median household income
- $42,454State: $72,388
- Median home value
- $209,600State: $288,900
- Median rent
- $563/moState: $1,228
- Homeowners
- 58.2%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 21.3%
- Average commute
- 15 min
Is Sparta a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 27% lower than the state median; an average commute of 15 minutes; unemployment of 2.7%.
Cons: Median household income 41% lower than the North Carolina median; a poverty rate of 21.5%.
The weather is best in May–June and August–September.
Cost of living in Sparta
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Sparta the median home value is $209,600, 37% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $563 per month, which is 31.1% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,335 a month in housing costs.
Sparta median household income
The median household income in Sparta is $42,454 and the income per person is $24,694. 21.5% of residents live below the poverty line (North Carolina: 13%).
Housing in Sparta: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 1,066
- Owner-occupied
- 58.2%
- Renter-occupied
- 41.8%
- Vacant
- 10.2%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1970
- Average household size
- 1.87
Sparta demographics
- Population
- 1,928
- Median age
- 51
- Under 18
- 15.9%
- 65 and older
- 31.3%
- Households
- 957
- Foreign-born
- 8.1%
- Veterans
- 7.6%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Sparta ›
Education in Sparta
21.3% of adults 25 and older in Sparta have a bachelor's degree or higher (North Carolina: 35.7%), and 10.5% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Sparta
- Unemployment rate
- 2.7%State: 4.7%
- Average commute
- 15 minState: 25 min
- Work from home
- 23.7%
- Drive alone
- 55.4%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 1%
- Homes with broadband
- 78.2%
Sparta vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sparta | 1,928 | $42,454 | $209,600 | $563 |
| Independence | 1,132 | $39,286 | $122,400 | $668 |
| Lowgap | 264 | $60,368 | $163,500 | $763 |
| Galax | 6,726 | $38,675 | $141,300 | $743 |
| Fries | 330 | $33,056 | $121,600 | $333 |
| Hays | 1,053 | $55,035 | $183,800 | — |
| Mulberry | 2,037 | $51,919 | $172,400 | $604 |
| Jefferson | 1,864 | $40,590 | $236,000 | $748 |
| Pleasant Hill | 793 | $52,381 | $147,800 | — |
More for people moving to Sparta
Sparta ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Sparta: FAQ
What is the median household income in Sparta, NC?
The median household income in Sparta is $42,454, 41% lower than the North Carolina median of $72,388 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Sparta?
The median home value in Sparta is $209,600, compared with $288,900 in North Carolina.
How much is rent in Sparta?
The median gross rent in Sparta is $563 per month, about 31.1% of household income.
Is Sparta, NC a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 27% lower than the state median; an average commute of 15 minutes; unemployment of 2.7%. Minuses: median household income 41% lower than the North Carolina median; a poverty rate of 21.5%.
What is the median age in Sparta?
The median age in Sparta is 51 years (North Carolina: 39.1).
How long is the commute in Sparta?
The average commute to work in Sparta is 15 minutes; 23.7% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Sparta?
The unemployment rate in Sparta is 2.7% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Sparta?
21.3% of adults in Sparta have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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